Colocasia esculenta
COLOCASIA ESCULENTA (Taro)
Araceae | Mala Maununu
Araceae
The Araceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix.
Native To:
India
Plant Status:
Secure
Plant Habit:
Stems grow from a central base, leaves are heart-shaped, large root
Plant Habitat:
Wet areas near streams
Cultural Uses
Polynesians brought taro to cultivate when they first came to Hawaiʻi since it has many uses. The Taro corm is full of starch and made up a large part of the Native Hawaiian diet. Poi is made by mashing the taro corm into a paste, and then eating it fresh or left to ferment for a few days before eating. However, through different preparation styles, the stems and leaves of the plant can also be eaten.
Interesting Fact
Taro is believed by Hawaiians to have the greatest life force of all types of food.